To be eligible for Spanish citizenship by descent, you need to meet one of the following criteria:
As published in the Consolidated Legislation Law 20/2022, of October 19, La Ley de Nietos paves the way for children and grandchildren of former Spanish citizens to be eligible for citizenship by descent.
Is estimated to enable over 750,000 people around the world to qualify for Spanish citizenship under this law.
In 2013, an estimated 746,000 Hispanics of Spanish origin were living in the United States, making them the ninth largest Hispanic origin population residing in the United States.
As it is known officially, seeks to help Spain make some amends for its recent history. Its goals are obvious. the restoration, preservation, and propagation of that memory, which has been so severely damaged by 40 years of dictatorship. Additionally, "to foster solidarity and cohesion among the many generations around the constitutional ideas, values, and freedoms."The law offered Spanish citizenship to the children of Spanish exiles who had fled from the Franco regime.
The 2007 Historical Memory Law had excluded children of exiles who had changed or renounced their Spanish citizenship; the new law entitled any descendant of Spanish immigrants born before 1985 – the year Spain changed its nationality law – to citizenship. This now included the grandchildren of people exiled under the Franco dictatorship, and the descendants of women who had lost their citizenship on marrying non-Spaniards. It is estimated that 700,000 people could be eligible for citizenship under the new "grandchildren law".
The Law of Democratic Memory & Ley de Nietos
Overview
The Law of Democratic Memory, as it is known officially, seeks to help Spain make some amends for its recent history. Its goals are obvious. the restoration, preservation, and propagation of that memory, which has been so severely damaged by 40 years of dictatorship. Additionally, "to foster solidarity and cohesion among the many generations around the constitutional ideas, values, and freedoms."The law offered Spanish citizenship to the children of Spanish exiles who had fled from the Franco regime. The 2007 Historical Memory Law had excluded children of exiles who had changed or renounced their Spanish citizenship; the new law entitled any descendant of Spanish immigrants born before 1985 – the year Spain changed its nationality law – to citizenship. This now included the grandchildren of people exiled under the Franco dictatorship, and the descendants of women who had lost their citizenship on marrying non-Spaniards. It is estimated that 700,000 people could be eligible for citizenship under the new "grandchildren law.
What is the law?
As published in the Consolidated Legislation Law 20/2022, of October 19, on Democratic Memory (here) defined in General Provisions
Article 1. Object and purpose.
As stated in Title 1, Article 3. Victims.
New law on eligibility for Spanish Citizenship
Eighth additional provision. Acquisition of Spanish nationality.
Those born outside Spain to a father or mother, grandfather or grandmother, who were originally Spanish, and who, as a result of having suffered exile for political, ideological or belief reasons or sexual orientation and identity, have lost or renounced Spanish nationality, may opt for Spanish nationality, for the purposes of Article 20 of the Civil Code. Likewise, Spanish nationality may be acquired by persons who are in the following cases:
Citizenship Application
Main Applicant:
If Applicable
Mandatory documents required by persons whose parents are citizens of Spain:
Mandatory documents required for a person whose parents or grandparents were Spaniards:
(If Applicable)
Your existing passport
Proof of Finances-can come from a number of sources, including remote work, pension, salary or dividends from an online business.
Proof of having legal residence in Spain, such as a rental contract or property deed
Bank statements to prove income levels
Criminal record check from your country of origin
Proof of having health insurance in Spain
Medical certificate
Marriage or divorce certificate, if applicable
It’s the least expensive method of getting a second passport.
The ability to pass on your citizenship will also help future generations.
A second passport will expand your options for tax planning.
EU Education Rights
The right to an education in any EU member state .
EU Healthcare Rights
The right to free public health services in every EU member state.
Some of the key benefits of obtaining Spanish Citizenship include:
Top-tier passport: 180+ Countries with Visa Free Access
All rights of an EU citizen including indefinite residence in any European country, rights to study, work, etc.;
Preferences when applying for a job in Spain.
Visa-free travels to the EU countries;
The right to elect and be elected to government bodies;
Simplified family reunification procedure.
Access to free medicine and social benefits.
Starting a business in any of the EU countries.
Low interest rates for loans and mortgages.
You are Spanish by Origin/Birth and can apply directly for Spanish citizenship:
The length of time you must wait before applying for citizenship may differ based on where you are from and your family ties:
The Do-It-Yourself Route (DIY): 30-48 Months
Timeline
The application process takes between 2 to 3 years, due to the slowness of the Spanish bureaucracy. Nevertheless if after a legal period of 1 year you haven’t received a response, the application is considered as rejected due to administrative silence. What you can do then is an appeal to claim a review over your request. After that, you will receive an answer within the next 4 months, so if you get an appointment for the flag’s jury at the same time you submit your appeal, you can get your Spanish Citizenship in 1 year and a half!You can make an appointment for the oath at the Civil Registry but also before a notary, something that could speed up the process immensely if you are in a big city where the Civil Registry is very saturated and it would take months to give you an appointment.
You can apply under 3 categories for Spanish Citizenship by Descent:
You are Spanish by Origin and can apply for Spanish citizenship by ‘Option’ (where you do not require a residency period) if you were:
There are also other situations to qualify for Spanish citizenship, where residency is required for one year. This applies to those born outside Spain to parents (also born outside Spain) and grandparents, whom were originally Spanish. It also applies to those with a Spanish guardian or foster parent. Those who did not duly exercise their right to acquire Spanish nationality by option are also required to have a year.
Naturalization to Spanish citizenship normally requires 10 years of continuous residence and the renunciation of your other citizenships. With the Spanish Citizenship by Ancestry stream, you can apply for naturalization after only 1 or 2 years of residence in Spain.
Recently, the Spanish authorities relaxed their physical presence requirements for those applying through the ancestry stream. You are only required to spend no more than 3 months continuously outside of Spain (meaning you can travel back and forth every 3 months and only spend a handful of days in Spain a year, if that’s your desire).
To process a Spanish Citizenship application there is a non-refundable fee that amounts to a sum between €60 and €100 for processing the citizenship applications.
There is a €26 fee for issuance of your Spanish Passport
Several Spanish populations lived in the New World throughout the colonial era, with their administrations being accountable to Madrid. Florida saw the first settlement, then others appeared in New Mexico, California, Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana. There were roughly 1,000 Spaniards living in the region north of Mexico in 1598, the year the first New Mexican settlement was founded; today, their descendants number around 900,000. Additional 250,000 immigrants have come to the country since its inception, either straight from Spain or after a brief stay in a Latin American nation.
The same factors that later prompted the English to settle in that region also led to the initial Spanish settlements north of Mexico (called at the time as New Spain). Imperial desires to find advanced civilizations had contributed to the growth of exploration. Additionally, the majority of Spaniards, like those on the Mayflower, migrated to the New World in search of agricultural land or, less frequently, as recent research in history has shown, freedom from religious persecution. For instance, many of the earliest people to settle in New Mexico were descended from Spanish Jews who had been forced to from Spain.
During the first part of the nineteenth century, Spanish immigration to the United States was low but consistent, but it increased in the 1850s and 1860s as a result of the social upheaval caused by the Carlist civil wars. Due to the same conditions of rural poverty and urban congestion that caused other Europeans to flee during that time, much more Spanish immigrants entered the country in the first quarter of the 20th century—27,000 in the first decade and 68,000 in the second. However, in 1921, the American government implemented a quota system that gave preference to northern Europeans, capping the number of Spaniards admitted annually at 9112, which was then lowered to 131.
In 1936 General Francisco Franco established a reactionary dictatorship that controlled Spain for 40 years beginning with the Fascist uprising against the Spanish Republic and the horrific civil war that followed. A small but notable group of liberal intellectuals fled into exile in the United States at the time of the fascist takeover. The nation experienced severe poverty for 20 years following the civil war. As a result, 44,000 Spaniards immigrated to the United States in just that decade when ties between Spain and the majority of other nations finally normalized in the middle of the 1960s. As Spain's economy began to develop in the 1970s, the numbers fell to around 3,000 annually.
In the 1980s, Europe had an economic boom, and during the course of ten years, just 15,000 immigrants from Spain were admitted. Only 76,000 Spaniards who were born abroad were counted in the 1990 U.S. census, or 4% of the country's total population. Mexicans born outside of the United States, the largest Hispanic group, comprised over two million people and made up around 21 percent of the population.
Best Places to Live
Being a major tech hub in Europe, offers numerous opportunities to meet people. Apart from frequenting your local pub, you can also join social groups such as Meetup to connect with both locals and fellow expats.
If you're looking for a more affordable option than Dublin, consider Cork as your new home. Situated in the southern part of the country, the cost of living in Cork is approximately 23% less than Dublin.
Galway is another popular city in Ireland, especially for expats looking for a quieter lifestyle, low crime rates, and breathtaking views of the Atlantic. It's one of the best places to live in Ireland if you prefer a smaller city.It's important to be ready for the gloomy weather, regardless of where you choose to live in Ireland. Due to the dark winters, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SADS) affects both locals and expats. You can learn how to cope with expat depression by discovering ways to adjust to the climate, make friends, and tackle other challenges that come with adapting to a new place and culture.
Furthermore, expats considering a move to Italy should also be aware of the high income tax and social security requirements compared to other EU countries.
The cost of living in Ireland is comparable to that of the United States. It's not uncommon to see young people living with their families until their 30s due to the high cost of living and low wages. Additionally, like many cities around the world, there is a shortage of housing in Ireland, which has resulted in exorbitant rent prices.
Many Americans who have relocated to Ireland can attest to the fact that living there as an expat is expensive. Dublin, in particular, is one of the most costly cities in Europe, with the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment hovering around $2000 per month. Furthermore, it can be challenging to find pet-friendly rentals.
Although housing costs may be more reasonable in smaller Irish cities, the prices of everyday goods tend to be somewhat higher than in many parts of the United States. For instance, a regular cup of coffee will cost approximately $4.50, while a nice lunch out will set you back roughly $25, depending on where you are in the country.
Spain operates under a territorial based taxation system, thus individuals who are considered tax residents are obligated to pay income tax on their global income, with certain personal allowances being taken into consideration. On the other hand, non-residents of Spain are only liable for paying taxes on any income derived from Spanish sources, such as rental income from a property in Spain. Non-resident income tax is applied at a fixed rate, without the availability of personal allowances or deductions. Determining whether you are a tax resident in Spain or not is crucial, as it greatly affects the amount of Spanish income tax you are obligated to pay.
In general, an individual is considered a tax resident in Spain if any of the following conditions apply:
Is there Mandatory Military Service/ Conscription Laws?
Spanish armed forces are purely professional and compulsory military service was abolished in Spain in 2001. Recruitment is always voluntary and only involves persons who have reached the age of 18.
We recommend checking out sephardim.com. If your surname pops up on a list there, it’s a good sign that you have the required ancestry.
The FCJE is a good starting place to find a proper authority – the Fedeacion de Comunidades Judias de España.
Spain has dual citizenship agreements in place with a number of Latin American countries and former colonies (see list above). If your country is on this list you will not need to give up your passport.
As a citizen of Spain, you have the right to vote.
Yes, you become eligible to apply for a Spanish passport after staying married to a Spanish spouse for at least one year.
Capital city
Madrid
Visa free countries
Schengen Area
Total area
505,990 km2
Languages
Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Galician
Currency
Euro €
Population
47,450,795
Time zone
UTC±0 to +1
Freedom of movement within the Schengen zone
Ranked #1 globally for ease of doing business
Ibero-American nationals gain citizenship after
two years
Considered one of the best places for retirees given its affordable cost
of living
There are 4 primary Paths to obtaining Spanish Citizenship through Ancestry
Naturalization to Spanish citizenship normally requires 10 years of continuous residence and the renunciation of your other citizenships.
With the Spanish Citizenship by Ancestry stream, you can apply for naturalization after only 1 or 2 years of residence in Spain. Recently, the Spanish authorities relaxed their physical presence requirements for those applying through the ancestry stream.
You are only required to spend no more than 3 months continuously outside of Spain (meaning you can travel back and forth every 3 months and only spend a handful of days in Spain a year, if that’s your desire).
For nationals of the countries below or persons of Sephardic origin:
If you qualify for fast-track naturalization, you’ll need to obtain a resident permit to be allowed to legally reside in Spain. To qualify for naturalization, you’ll need to have 1 or 2 years of residence. Residence means you spend less than 3 continuous months outside of Spain.
You have a few options to gain a resident permit in Spain, but the recommended one is the Spanish Investor Residency program, also known as the Spanish Golden Visa. This is the favored option for HNWI since it offers more flexibility and security. Be aware that once your citizenship application is submitted, it takes 1 year for the Spanish authorities to process your request, meaning it will take 2 to 3 years from the moment you gain residence in Spain to the moment you become a citizen.
This is why the Golden Visa is the recommended route, as others require annual renewals or have requirements to fulfill each year. Also, it’s the only way for you to dodge the Spanish Wealth Tax on your worldwide assets.
STAGE 1 | MONTH 1
Before being able to apply for fast-track naturalization, you’ll need to gain legal residence in Spain. Choose your favored path and start gathering the relevant documents you need to apply. Application for the Investor visa is pretty fast and can be completed in 1 or 2 months.
STAGE 2 | MONTH 2
After you have landed in Spain, register with the municipality in which you will reside. You’ll have to be physically present for half of the year in Spain for it to count towards naturalization.
STAGE 3 | YEAR 2 - 4
Once you are eligible to apply for naturalization (1 or 2 years of residence), gather your documents and submit your application (preferably online for faster processing). After 1 year, you’ll be notified of the decision. If the decision is positive, you’ll be asked to appear to pledge allegiance. You’ll receive your citizenship certificate shortly after that process is completed.
Step 1: Member onboarding
Kick-off call
Portal
set-up
Complete Pedigree Tree
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Step 2: Vital Records Retrieval
Spain
Cuba, Puerto Rico & USA
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Step 3: Vital Records Prep
Notarizacion
Apostillization
Translation
Step 4: Application Preparation
Preparation
Consular Appointment
Submission
Step 5: Citizenship Approval
Preparation
Step 6: Passport Approval
Citizenship Certificate
Oath swearing at local consulate
Spanish Passport
To be eligible for fast-track naturalization, you need to have spent eight months a year in Spain. To be able to legally reside in Spain, you need to first apply for residency. You can obtain a Wealth Visa or a Golden Visa for that purpose. Sephardic Jews are not required to be physically present in Spain during those two years.
Spanish citizenship by descent offers three distinct routes:
1. If you have a Spanish parent or grandparent born in Spain, you can claim your citizenship by making an appointment at your nearest Spanish consulate.
2. If you are a national of Ibero-American countries or of Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or a person of Sephardic origin, you can apply for fast-track naturalization after two years of residence in Spain.
The process for Spanish citizenship by ancestry can take 12-18 months,
depending on the route and your eligibility.
For those that require it, to be able to legally reside in Spain, you need to first apply for residency. You can obtain a Wealth Visa or a Golden Visa for that purpose.
Each path to Citizenship has a unique series of requirements that must be fulfilled when applying.. If applicable. for residence permit requirements, read the Spanish Golden Visa section.
Some requirements might include:
Police Report:
A Police Certificate from your country of origin, translated, legalized, and issued by the competent authorities.
Language and Civic Test:
You must take the Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge Test (CCSE) and the Spanish Language Proficiency Test (DELE). Nationals of a country in which Spanish is an official language are exempt from the DELE examination.
Physical Presence:
You will need an “empadronamiento”, a certificate from the municipality in which you are a registered resident.
Oath of Allegiance:You must swear allegiance to the King of Spain and obedience to the Constitution and laws. During this process, you must orally renounce your previous citizenship unless you’re from an exempted nation.
For the resident permit, the spouse and minor children also receive a resident permit with the main applicant. Under the Golden Visa, parents of the main applicant can also receive a resident permit.
For naturalization, the child of the main applicant will automatically become a Spanish citizen with its parent. The spouse will be able to apply 1 year after the main applicant has received Spanish citizenship if, at the time of the application, they have been married for one year to a Spanish national and are not legally separated or have not had a common-law separation.
Take a free eligibility test today! Your eligibility for ancestry-based citizenship will be determined within 48 hours by the internal genealogy team at Global RCG.
Enjoy our articles related to Spain
We recommend checking out sephardim.com. If your surname pops up on a list there, it’s a good sign that you have the required ancestry.
The FCJE is a good starting place to find a proper authority – the Fedeacion de Comunidades Judias de España.
Spain has dual citizenship agreements in place with a number of Latin American countries and former colonies (see list above). If your country is on this list you will not need to give up your passport.
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